Veteran Nollywood actor and former Labour Party (LP) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has launched a scathing attack on the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accusing him of betrayal and weak leadership in the wake of the LP’s internal crisis.

In an interview with Symfoni TV, Okonkwo alleged that Obi failed to show strong leadership following the 2023 elections, particularly in addressing the party’s post-election leadership tussle. He claimed Obi’s continued alignment with the Julius Abure-led faction which he accused of colluding with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has deepened internal divisions and hampered the party’s chances ahead of 2027.

“Obi is a politician of convenience, not conviction. Nobody is destroying his political career. He is committing political suicide, and I mean it,” Okonkwo said.

Reflecting on his personal involvement in the 2023 movement, Okonkwo described it as an “organic movement” driven by genuine calls for change.

“I wasn’t drafted; I joined because of my belief in the people’s cause,” he said. “As spokesperson, I gave my all. After the election, the smart move would have been to stabilize the party and begin planning for 2027. But what did Obi do? He looked the other way.”

Responding to accusations that his exit from the LP was a betrayal of Obi, Okonkwo fired back:

“Any politician who knows what he is doing cannot be betrayed. If there’s any betrayal, it’s Peter Obi who betrayed me.”

He stressed that his political allegiance has always been to Nigerians, not to any individual or political party, adding that Obi’s failure to provide visionary leadership has cost the LP valuable momentum.

Okonkwo’s remarks add to growing concerns about the Labour Party’s internal cohesion and its preparedness to remain a credible opposition force in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.